Nine games under -- that's a landmark achievement in the AL West, especially for a team that once was 19-43.

"Nine is a single digit," La Russa said. "I think this is something to get excited about."

The Orioles were less buoyant, but hardly discouraged. Jeffrey Hammonds provided the season's first truly magical moment Saturday night. But the first half wasn't exactly a downer.

There was the stirring Opening Day triumph over Kansas City. The sweeps of Toronto at Camden Yards and SkyDome. The huge May 22 victory at Yankee Stadium that might have saved Oates' job.

There was the old Mike Mussina and the new Leo Gomez. The wondrous Cal Ripken and Rafael Palmeiro. The revived Chris Hoiles and Brady Anderson. And -- who would have believed it? (( -- Chris Sabo in the outfield.

First place? The Orioles had a 7 1/2 -game lead in July 1989, and saw it disappear. As Lee Smith put it: "I don't think the Yankees were going to call us and say, 'You guys won it.' "

Or, as second baseman Mark McLemore said: "Being in first place right now looks good, but it doesn't mean anything. Being in first place on Oct. 2 means everything."